DNS is a critical part of your online presence, even though most business owners rarely think about it until something breaks. A DNS problem can take down your website, interrupt email, or direct visitors to the wrong service. Understanding the basics can help you protect your domain and avoid problems when changing providers.
What Does DNS Do?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It connects an easy-to-remember domain, such as yourbusiness.com, to the server or service it should use. Your domain, website hosting, and DNS are related but separate:
- Domain registration gives you the right to use the domain name.
- Website hosting stores and delivers your website.
- DNS hosting contains the records that direct website, email, and other traffic.
One company may manage all three, or they may be handled by different providers.
Common DNS Records
DNS records provide instructions for different services:
- A and AAAA records connect a domain to a website server using an IPv4 or IPv6 address.
- CNAME records point one name to another, such as
wwwto the main domain. - MX records direct email to the correct provider.
- TXT records support verification, security, and email authentication through SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- NS records identify the service managing the domain’s DNS.
Incorrectly changing MX or nameserver records can disrupt email, the website, or both.
DNS Changes and Common Problems
DNS updates may not appear everywhere immediately because internet providers and other systems temporarily cache records. A record’s time to live, or TTL, helps determine how long that information is stored. As a result, a change may work for one person before it works for another.
Common DNS problems occur when:
- Moving a website or changing email providers
- Connecting a third-party service
- Replacing nameservers
- Entering the wrong IP address
- Deleting an important record
- Failing to complete a verification step
- Allowing the domain to expire
Document your DNS records before making changes so they can be restored if something goes wrong.
Protecting Your Domain
Your domain is an important business asset. Keep it in an account your organization controls, maintain current contact and renewal information, enable multifactor authentication, and limit access to trusted people.
Remove access for former employees and vendors, and review DNS changes before publishing them. Technical providers may need access, but your business should retain ownership of the domain.
Need Help With DNS?
Illini Web Solutions can review DNS records, connect domains to website hosting, configure email-related records, and troubleshoot domain problems.
Email [email protected] or call 217-854-6260 for assistance.
